Sweetwater Tavern and Grille - A Great Chicago Sports Bar!

Sweetwater Tavern and Grille
http://sweetwatertavernandgrille.com
225 N. Michigan Avenu, Chicago, IL  60601

Hello folks!  Just wanted to give a shout out for Sweetwaters Tavern and Grille on Michigan Avenue.  We popped into this place as an afterthought, but it should have been out first stop.  Great beer, reasonable prices.  Totally kickin' array of HiDef sports TV.  If you want a certain game on, I'm sure that can be arranged.  The staff was very friendly, and Kevin tending bar had two great beer suggestions - The Anti-Hero IPA (the tap had a green fist...) and Surly.

Since I didn't eat there, I can't speak for the cuisine, but what I saw looked great.

Also, I'm here in Chicago during one of those Polar Vortex occurences - which just basically means friggin' cold!  -1 F for a low and 8 for a high.  But here's the cool part - you can get to Sweetwater's by using the maze of tunnels and bridges under the Hyatt and never have to step out into inclement weather.  Just take the escalator down from the West tower.  Follow that tunnell to a T intersection.  Turn left (right takes you out to Wacker...).  Jink slightly left and go up a half flight of stairs to the ped overpass.  Then down the stairs on the other side, and follow the signs to Sweetwater.

Sweetwater offers 10% off for Hyatt guests on the entire bill, including libations.  To take advantage of this, you have to get the voucher from the Hyatt Concierge first, so prior planning will pay off.

FRA: Sam's Sports Bar

http://www.samssportsbar.de
Sun-Fri 18:00-05:00, Sat 15:00-05:00 clock
Phone: +49 (0) 69/35103573

My fellow crewmates turned me on to this neat sports bar right next to the Westin Grand hotel.  It is only a 1 minute walk from the front entrance.  Sam's Sports bar does amazing things in its modest and well appointed square footage - 4 or 5 hi def screens and a staff that is eager to please with the freshest libations.  I didn't get a chance to taste the food, but I hear that the hot wings are very good.  Please post a comment if you have anything to add in regards to the menu.

Here I am with Moe and his hot sidekick, Giti.  They were playing the SFO, NE Patriots game in the background.

Cluck, ever the lady's man, makes an appearance...

Narita: Best Thai Restaurant at Narita Airport

Jai Thai
www.jaithai.co.jp
Central Building 5F of the New Section, Terminal 1
Narita Airport, Narita City, 282-8601
Tel: 0476-32-9191

If you have time at the airport and find yourself wanting some Thai food, then mosey on up to the food court on the 'new section' (in the vicinity of the observation deck).  Go to the Jai Thai restaurant and get the crew special Chicken Pad Thai for 1000¥ (about $10).  Generous portion with just enough hotness.  You'll have it in about 5 minutes.



Getting there is kinda tricky, but it's one level above the security level.  Just fade right after you enter the terminal, go up an escalator, and E & E your way towards the food court/observation deck.

There's a Lawsons convenience store nearby as well, if you want something else last minute.  Enjoy!

Sao Paulo: Restaurant A Griffe do File Mignon

267 Al. Ministro Rocha Azevedo, Cerqueira Cesar, Sao Paulo

This is a great casual restaurant.  Generous portions are meant to be shared with a large table of your friends.  The mixed grille can feed quite a few folks, especially if you get a plate of polenta on the side.

mixed grill

Polenta

Sao Paulo: Pamplona Restaurant

No sign, look for two awnings

Right across the street from McDonalds on Rua Pamplona is the Pamplona Restaurant.  This is a great place to get standard Brazilian fare at very reasonable prices.  They have a cafe counter as well as a sit down section.

Look for Fejoada (wiki article about Feijoada) on Wednesdays and Saturdays (pictured below).  If the unidentified meat pieces makes you a bit squeamish, try the Frango Filet Executivo, which is a nice thinly cut slice of chicken over a bed of rice.  It comes with beans and fries and a salad, and a fried egg on top of the slice of chicken.  Also good is the fried chicken, which is served as small bone-in sections of thigh and leg meat (I think).

The staff is extremely friendly and will probably recognize you as UAL (no special prices - but they are already very reasonable).

Feijoada

Cluck Returns!!